Many individuals today call themselves shamans, plant masters, curanderos, or other titles and charge excessive prices for their services. While some are reputable and well-qualified, many have little actual training—often based only on attending one or two ayahuasca ceremonies—without any education in the traditional practices of indigenous peoples of South America, such as the Shipibo of Peru.

Some providers often take inadequate or no intake information regarding participants’ medications, health conditions, or reasons for seeking plant medicine. Many lack proper safety protocols and do not have qualified medical support available in case of emergencies. Furthermore, some fail to provide the appropriate :set and setting" for the experience, or to offer essential integration sessions to help participants process and apply what they have experienced.